Objective To investigate the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in differentiating acute dyspnea from aged pa-tients with heart failure. Methods The concentration of plasma BNP was measured with immunofluorescence assay in 145 aged patients with dyspnea who admitted to hospital by emergency or were out - patients. Results The BNP level in patients with dyspnea caused by heart failure was significantly higher than that of lung disease patients. BNP for the diagnosis of left heart failure had a very strong predic-tive value, while the early diagnosis of pulmonary heart disease and right heart failure has yet to be explored. BNP values > 100ng / L for differentiating of heart failure was the following: the sensitivity of diagnosis was 94.1%, accuracy 93. I%, specificity 79.5%, positive predictive value was 91.3%, and negative predictive value was 85.4%. Conclusion BNP assay was a convenient, rapid and sensitive method for differentiating diagnosis in aged patients with heart failure, especially with left heart failure. It can be used as an important dif-ferential method in elderly patients with acute dyspnea.

A mechanical shimming method and device for permanent magnet of MRI system has been developed to meet its stringent homogeneity requirement without time-consuming passive shimming on site, installation and adjustment efficiency has been increased.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Magnets

Objective To investigate the risk rate of infection with SARS coronavirus in health care workers in an designated hospital, and to assess the effectiveness of the isolation system in prevention of nosocomial transmission of SARS. Methods Questionnaire was submitted to all health care workers related with SARS patients, and ELISA assay was performed to detect IgG antibody against SARS coronavirus for all of them. Results 450 health care workers were submitted the same questionnaire, 445 questionnaires were returned, and 441 blood samples were collected. It was confirmed that all health care workers involved had complied with the isolation guidelines as formulated by the authority of the hospital. Two hundred and sixty persons out of 441 were classified into the group who had close contact with SARS patients and/or SARS materials. Among these 260 workers, IgG antibody against SARS Coronavirus was detected in 5 of them, who had either worked in the SARS ward, CCU (where 3 SARS probable cases had stayed for a short term), paediatric ward, center for sample transference, or laundry. Therefore, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk rate between the group of workers who had close contact with SARS patients and/or SARS materials and the group without contact. Conclusion The current isolation system against SARS was effective, though might not perfect.

Objective To analyse the incidence, clinical features, histopathology and clinicopathological correlation in different age group of 524 cases with IgA nephropathy(IgAN) retrospectively. Methods 524 cases of IgA nephropathy were divided into three groups according to their age, and the clinical and renal pathological features were analyzed. Results In children group(≤15 years), the incidence of recurrent gross hematuria was 47. 2% and renal impairment 4. 6%. Malignant hypertension as first presentation associated with serious renal impairment occured in 3. 8% patients of youth and adult group (16 - 49 years). Higher incidence of nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure was found in elder group (50 - 69 years). Conclusions The incidence Of IgAN in children and elder population is increased, especially in the children. They need a further follow-up. For elder patients considered as IgAN, a renal biopsy seems to be necessary. While youths and adults still account for the most part of IgAN patients.

12 months, baseline serum HBV DNA ≥104copies/ml) were prospectively followed. Virological and serologic responses and laboratory data of liver and renal function of each patient enrolled were monitored every three months. Entecavir resistant mutations were detected by direct sequencing of HBV reverse transcriptase region which was amplified by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HBV sequences of different genotypes obtained from GenBank were aligned to identify entecavir drug resistant substitutions. Results Of the 41 lamivudine refractory CHB patients who met the inclusion criteria, 16 patients (39%) achieved the point of undetectability in HBV DNA level (

Objective To evaluate the expression of Fas Ligand (FasL) on gastric T cell during H.pylori infection and its cytotoxicity to gastric epithelial cells. Methods FasL protein expressions on mono nuclear cells of gastric mucosa with and without H.pylori infection were examined by immunohistochemistry assay. FasL mRNA expressions were detected in gastric T cell lines isolated from H.pylori infected and uninfected gastric biopsies by RT PCR. The function of FasL expressed by gastric T cells to induce apoptosis in Fas bearing cells was determined by a co culture bioassay (JAM), while the Fas mediated apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells induced by gastric T cells were also evaluated by the same assay. Results FasL was expressed by the mononuclear cells accumulated in gastric mucosa with H.pylori infection, whereas the few mononuclear cells presented in uninfected gastric tissues were negative for FasL. FasL mRNA was detected in gastric T cells isolated from H.pylori infected gastric biopises, while that of uninfected gastric T cell lines was either negative or weak positive. Gastric T cells were capable of inducing apoptosis of Fas positive jurkat cells, while this could be blocked by Fas blocking antibody, ZB4. Conclusions T cells presented in gastric mucosa during H.pylori infection could damage gastric epithelium through Fas/FasL interaction.

This article analyzed the basic conditions of the construction for the key subjects in Dis-ease Control and Prevention institutions (CDC), and described the status quo, development direction and goal of the key subject construction using Hunan province CDC (HNCDC) as an example. Finally, it was discussed that four important aspects of the work should be paid more attention during the key subject con-struction in HNCDC.

Objective To understand the status and influencing factors of Shenzhen resident population′s inpatient hospital medical institutions selection .Methods Conducting site investigation of Shenzhen resident population ,to analyze that w hich hospi‐tal to choose ,willingness ,satisfaction and trust of resident population need to be hospitalized .Results The municipal hospital was the first choice for the Shenzhen resident population need to be hospitalized ,the degree of willingness ,satisfaction and trust of mu‐nicipal hospital were higher than the district hospital;health status and insurance coverage were the influence factors of hospitaliza‐tion medical institutions ,the worse health conditions and insured residents to choose the municipal hospital more likely .Conclusion Positive education ,guide residents reasonable medical treatment ,improve the whole service level of district hospitals ,to further improve the medical security system of Shenzhen city .

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of kyphoplasty in treating severe osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures. Methods Thirty-five patients (48 vertebral bodies) with severe osteoporotic compressive fractures were included. There were 33 females and 2 males with the mean age of 74.2 years. The average compressive rate of the affected vertebral bodies was 77.0%. The thoracolumbar vertebrae were treated with kyphoplasties. Percutaneous puncture direction was adjusted according to compressive rate and shape of the vertebral bodies. The inflatable bone tamp was inserted into the fractured vertebral body. The balloon was inflated with low pressure and dilate-relieve-dilate method was applied. The balloon was deflated and withdrawn, leaving a cavity within the vertebral body, which then fulfilled with visualized bone cement. Preoperative and postoperative symptom level, complications and radiographic findings were recorded. Results All 35 patients tolerated procedure well. The mean heights of the anterior, mid and posterior vertebral body had improved from (0.8±0.1) cm, (0.8±0.2) cm, (2.1 ±0.8) cm preoperatively to (1.2±0.3) cm, (1.3±0.2) cm, (2.3±1.0) cm respectively after operation (P ＜0.05). There was significance difference between preoperative and postoperative heights of the anterior and mid vertebral body. The mean kyphosis was improved from 28.2°±5.2° before operation to 19.1°±4.9° after operation. Conclusion Kyphoplasty is feasible and effective for severe osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of curcumin on carbon tetrachloridlde (CCl 4) intoxicated primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Methods:The rat hepatocytes were separated by perfusion with collagenase solution. Curcumin was added to the culture medium after incubating the rat hepatocyte for 36 hours. At the same time, CCl 4 was added to induce hepatocyte injury for 1 h. The levels of ALT, LDH, NO, SOD, MDA and cell viability after cultivation for 3 h were determined, respectively. Results:Curcumin significantly improved cell viability, inhibited the decrease of SOD activity and increase of the ALT, LDH, MDA, NO levels. Conclusion: Curcumin protected effectively the primary cultured rat hepatocytes against injury induced by CCl 4.